Question

meiosis is an important process in sexual reproduction. which statement best describes the purpose of meiosis in the formation of egg and sperm cells?

○ meiosis reduces the cells chromosome number by half

○ meiosis maintains the cells original chromosomes number

○ meiosis joins the nuclei of the egg and sperm

○ meiosis divides the cytoplasm of the egg and sperm

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Meiosis is a type of cell division that occurs in germ cells (egg and sperm formation). Its key role is to reduce the chromosome number by half (from diploid to haploid) so that when fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number.
• Option 2: Maintaining the original chromosome number is the role of mitosis, not meiosis.
• Option 3: Joining the nuclei of egg and sperm is fertilization, not meiosis.
• Option 4: Dividing the cytoplasm is cytokinesis, which can occur during meiosis but is not the main purpose of meiosis in gamete formation.

So the correct statement about the purpose of meiosis in egg and sperm formation is that it reduces the cell’s chromosome number by half.

Answer:

meiosis reduces the cell's chromosome number by half